History & heritage clubs in southern NH

Atkinson

Atkinson Historical Society

Nonprofit preserving Atkinson's history at the Kimball House Museum and restoring the one-room Center School; talks and tours.

Kimball House Museum, 3 Academy Ave: open Wed 2-4 pm and first Sat 10-noon; member meetings 7 pm.

Chester

Chester Historical Society

Shares Chester history through exhibits, videos and talks at Stevens Memorial Hall; open to individuals, families and businesses.

4th Monday of odd months, 7 PM, Stevens Memorial Hall; exhibits 2nd Saturday 10-noon.

Danville

Danville Heritage Commission

Town board that oversees Danville's Historic District, protects historic sites and shares local history through displays and articles.

Reach the commission through Danville Town Hall, 210 Main Street.

Derry

Derry Heritage Commission

Town volunteer board that preserves Derry's history and operates the Derry Museum of History; residents welcome at meetings.

Public meetings; agendas and minutes are posted on the town website.

Derry

Friends of the Derry Public Libraries

Nonprofit supporting Derry Public Library and Taylor Library; its monthly book sale funds museum passes and cultural events.

2nd Tuesday of even months, 7 pm, Derry Public Library; book sale 2nd Saturday mornings.

Derry

Molly Reid Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

DAR lineage society chapter for women with a Revolutionary War patriot ancestor; serves Derry, Londonderry, Windham, Salem area.

Email the chapter to attend a meeting; a calendar is on the chapter website.

Fremont

Fremont Historical Society

Runs the Fremont Historical Museum and holds four public history programs a year; new members and volunteers welcome.

Museum at 8 Beede Hill Road, open in summer; four program meetings a year.

Hampstead

Hampstead Historical Society

Preserves and shares Hampstead's history; runs the town museum and helps with house, town and family research.

4th Tuesday of the month, 7 pm at the museum, 67 Main St; museum open Saturdays 1-4 pm.

Kingston

Kingston Historical Museum

Town museum run by a volunteer committee; preserves Kingston records and objects and helps with family history research.

Committee meets first Tuesday, 6:30 pm; museum open Wed 8-noon and 2nd Sat 1-4 pm, 169 Main St.

Londonderry

Aviation Museum of New Hampshire

Museum preserving New Hampshire's aviation history through hands-on exhibits, public programs and school outreach.

See the website for current hours and programs.

Londonderry

Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library

Raises awareness of and funds for Leach Library services and collections; membership is open to everyone.

2nd Monday (not Jul, Aug, Dec), 1 pm or 6:30 pm, library meeting room; $10 a year.

Londonderry

Londonderry Historical Society

Volunteers preserving Londonderry history and running the Morrison House Museum complex, with open houses and events for all.

Monthly business meeting, 6-7:30 pm, Leach Library, 276 Mammoth Rd; all welcome.

Pelham

Pelham Historical Society

Independent nonprofit, founded 1963, collecting and preserving records and objects from Pelham's history; museum and events.

Usually the 4th Monday of the month, 6:30 pm, at 5 Main St (the old Pelham library).

Plaistow

Plaistow Historical Society

Preserves and shares the history of Plaistow, with an online catalog of its collection and openings for members and volunteers.

Open Tuesdays 4-7 pm at 127 Main St; monthly meeting dates are announced on the website.

Salem

Lydia Woodbury Dodge Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Salem chapter of the DAR, a lineage society for women descended from Revolutionary War patriots.

Contact the chapter through the state DAR chapter list.

Salem

Salem Historical Society

Volunteer society that preserves Salem history and runs school and public programs at the Old Town Hall museum and Schoolhouse No. 5.

Museum in Old Town Hall, 310 Main Street; ask the society for open hours.

Salem

Salem Museum Committee

Town committee overseeing the Salem Historical Museum, with Historical Society and Historic District members; public welcome.

Meets as needed at the Salem Historical Museum, 310 Main St; the public may attend.

Windham

Friends of the Library of Windham (FLOW)

Volunteer nonprofit supporting Nesmith Library with book fairs, youth activities and the annual Strawberry Festival.

Board meets monthly; join or volunteer through the website.

Windham

Windham Historic District/Heritage Commission

Town commission that oversees Windham's historic districts and researches sites such as the Windham Depot area.

Amherst

Amherst Heritage Commission

Town advisory board that inventories Amherst's historic and cultural resources and helps owners preserve them.

Second Thursday of each month; see the town website for location.

Amherst

Historical Society of Amherst

Preserves Amherst history with society meetings, digital image collections, small museums and genealogy resources.

Brookline

Brookline Historical Society

Preserves Brookline maps, documents, photos and artifacts and hosts talks and preservation projects; everyone is welcome.

Second Wednesday of each month, 7 PM; public welcome. Dues from $25 a year.

Hollis

Anna Keyes Powers Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Hollis chapter of the DAR, a lineage society for women descended from Revolutionary War patriots.

Contact the chapter through its website.

Hudson

Friends of the Library of Hudson

Volunteers supporting Rodgers Memorial Library through the Second Hand Prose book shop, scholarships and library events.

Join with a form from the website or the library; committees welcome volunteers.

Hudson

Hudson Historical Society

Nonprofit preserving Hudson's artifacts and stories; runs a museum at the Alvirne Hills House on Derry Road.

See the website and seasonal newsletter for programs and open days.

Mason

Mason Historical Society

Volunteer nonprofit that researches, preserves and promotes the history of the Town of Mason.

Contact through the town website; events appear on its calendar.

Merrimack

Friends of the Merrimack Public Library

Volunteer group supporting the town library with book sales, Books for Babies, Little Free Libraries and sponsored programs.

Join online or at the circulation desk from $10; membership year runs June to May.

Merrimack

Merrimack Heritage Commission

Town commission that identifies, protects and promotes Merrimack's locally significant historic and cultural resources.

See the town website for meeting agendas.

Merrimack

Merrimack Historical Society

Volunteers who preserve Merrimack history, based at the District #3 Schoolhouse and restoring the one-room District #12 school.

Headquarters at the District #3 Schoolhouse on Depot Street; talks at the public library.

Milford

Captain Josiah Crosby Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Milford chapter of the DAR, a lineage society for women descended from Revolutionary War patriots.

Contact the chapter through its website.

Milford

Milford Historical Society

Shares Milford's past through its Milford History Online stories and a published book of town history.

Mont Vernon

Mont Vernon Historical Society

Independent volunteer group, founded 1975, that studies Mont Vernon history and keeps the town museum's collection.

Business meetings usually first Tuesday, 7 pm; museum closed during Town Hall work.

Nashua

India Association of New Hampshire

Nonprofit cultural, educational and service group for the Indian community; Diwali festival and soup kitchen volunteering.

Events through the year, including a fall Diwali Festival at Nashua High School North.

Nashua

Matthew Thornton Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Nashua DAR chapter, founded 1897, for women interested in patriotism, genealogy, education and historic preservation.

Contact the chapter registrar or regent through the website.

Nashua

Nashua Historical Society

Volunteer-run nonprofit, founded 1870, preserving Nashua history; runs the Speare Museum and the Abbot-Spalding House.

5 Abbott St; office and Speare Museum open Tue-Thu 9 am-4 pm; Abbot House by appointment.

Wilton

Wilton Historical Society

Preserves Wilton history through artifacts and documents, answers genealogy questions and presents history programs.

2nd Thu of Sep, Nov, Apr and Jun, 7 pm, Historical Rooms atop the library, 7 Forest Rd.

Auburn

Auburn Historical Association

Runs Auburn's local history museum and hosts community events such as Auburn Day and the Duck Race.

Museum at 102 Hooksett Rd open the third Saturday of each month, 1-3 pm.

Bedford

Bedford Historical Society

Preserves Bedford history and runs two small museums, Schoolhouse #7 and the Kendall Shop Museum, for residents and visitors.

Museum buildings open most Wednesdays 10 am to noon, or by arrangement.

Bedford

Friends of the Bedford Library

Nonprofit backing Bedford Public Library with talks, a Sunday concert series, game nights and wish-list fundraising.

Join online from $20 a year; memberships renew each October.

Candia

Fitts Museum Trustees

Town-appointed volunteer trustees who look after the Fitts Museum, Candia's local history museum.

Deerfield

Deerfield Historical Society

Volunteer society that preserves Deerfield history and raises funds for its local history museum.

Dunbarton

Dunbarton Historical Society

Volunteer society that preserves and shares Dunbarton history; listed among the town's community organizations.

See the society's Facebook page for meetings and events.

Goffstown

Friends of the Goffstown Public Library

All-volunteer nonprofit funding library programs and museum passes, running lawn book sales and tidying the grounds.

Monthly meetings; check the library calendar or email the Friends for details.

Goffstown

Goffstown Historical Society

Independent nonprofit museum in the historic Parker Building showing Goffstown's industry, clothing and town history.

18 Parker Station Rd; see the website's What's Happening page for hours and events.

Hooksett

Hooksett Heritage Commission

Town commission that works to recognize, use and protect Hooksett's historic and cultural resources.

Hooksett

Hooksett Historical Society

Local history society that hosts free public history talks in Hooksett, including New Hampshire Humanities programs.

Next talk Oct 22, 2026, 6 PM, Hooksett Public Library.

Manchester

American-Canadian Genealogical Society

Volunteer-run genealogy society and library for French-Canadian, Franco-American and Acadian family research.

Library at 1 Sundial Ave, Suite 317; open Wed, Thu and Sat, current hours on the website.

Manchester

Franco-American Centre

Nonprofit celebrating French language, culture and heritage with classes, conversation groups, Franco Fest and PoutineFest.

Office at 100 Saint Anselm Dr; join, volunteer or enroll in classes through the website.

Manchester

Manchester Historic Association

Collects, preserves and shares Manchester's history; runs the Millyard Museum and a research center with talks and events.

Millyard Museum, 200 Bedford St, Tue-Sat 10-4; Research Center, 129 Amherst St, Wed and Sat.

Manchester

Molly Stark Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Manchester chapter of the DAR, a lineage society for women descended from Revolutionary War patriots.

Contact the chapter through the state DAR chapter list.

New Boston

Friends of the Whipple Free Library

Nonprofit supporting New Boston's library since 1966, funding museum passes and upgrades through an auction and book sale.

Second Tuesday of each month except July and December; membership forms at the library.

New Boston

New Boston Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

New Boston chapter of the DAR, a lineage society for women descended from Revolutionary War patriots.

Contact the chapter through its website.

New Boston

New Boston Historical Society

Preserves and shares New Boston history through a museum, online town stories, a timeline and a calendar of events.

Museum in the Wason Memorial Building, 2 Central Square, open Thursdays noon-2 pm.

Raymond

Raymond Historical Society

Preserves Raymond history at the old train depot and runs community events such as open houses and Christmas on the Common.

Based at the historic Raymond train depot; see the website for open houses.

Weare

Weare Historical Society

Keeps Weare artifacts and memorabilia at the Stone Memorial Building and sells historic maps and reprinted town histories.

Directors meet third Wednesday, 7 pm, Weare Public Library; seasonal open houses.

Allenstown

Allenstown Historical Society

Local history volunteers who share Allenstown photos and artifacts and host a free History Day for schoolchildren and residents.

Bow

Bow Heritage Commission

Town commission that researches, preserves and teaches about Bow's cultural and historical resources.

Public meetings; agendas are posted on the town website.

Canterbury

Canterbury Historical Society

Volunteers preserving Canterbury's heritage through archives, exhibits, oral histories and school programs.

Archives open to researchers by appointment; contact via the town website.

Canterbury

Canterbury Shaker Village

Nonprofit that preserves and interprets the Canterbury Shakers' heritage with tours, exhibits, events and 700 acres of trails.

288 Shaker Road; see the website for tour hours, membership and volunteering.

Chichester

Chichester Historical Society

Brings together people interested in Chichester's past and preserves local landmarks, documents, photos and artifacts.

Concord

Buntin-Rumford-Webster Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Greater Concord chapter of the DAR, a lineage society for women descended from Revolutionary War patriots.

Email the chapter through its website to attend a meeting.

Concord

Concord Historical Society

Shares Concord's history through public programs, research help and publications on the city's past.

Programs are announced on the website.

Concord

New Hampshire Historical Society

Statewide nonprofit, founded 1823, with a museum, research library, exhibitions and programs on New Hampshire history.

Museum and library in Concord; hours and the events calendar are on the website.

Concord

New Hampshire Society of Genealogists

Statewide nonprofit for anyone researching New Hampshire ancestors: conferences, webinars, a journal and grants.

Spring and fall conferences plus webinars; join online.

Concord

NHSCOT

Preserves and promotes Scottish culture: the NH Highland Games, afternoon teas, a book club and genealogy seminars.

Office at 25 Triangle Park Dr; events around the state and on Zoom are listed online.

Concord

The Pierce Brigade

Volunteer group that owns and runs the Pierce Manse, the Concord home of President Franklin Pierce, with tours and events.

Pierce Manse open Thu-Sat 10 am-3 pm, late May through October; other days by appointment.

Epsom

Epsom Historical Association

Researches and publishes Epsom history and genealogy, tends the old library's historical garden and joins Old Home Day.

Henniker

Henniker Historical Society

Preserves Henniker's history with a museum, research help and collections at Academy Hall.

Academy Hall: Thursdays 10-2 and 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10-1, or by appointment.

Hopkinton

Hopkinton Historical Society

Collects, preserves and exhibits the history of Hopkinton, Contoocook and West Hopkinton; exhibits, walks and programs.

300 Main St; Apr-Dec open Thu-Fri 9-4 and Sat 9-1, Jan-Mar by appointment.

Pembroke

Pembroke Historical Society

Local history society that hosts free public history talks in Pembroke, including New Hampshire Humanities programs.

Programs held at Pembroke Town Library, 313 Pembroke Street.

Warner

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum

Museum and cultural center sharing 20,000 years of Native American culture, with a Medicine Woods trail and an annual powwow.

18 Highlawn Road; daily May-Oct (Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4), Fri-Sat in winter.

Warner

Warner Historical Society

Volunteers preserving Warner's landmarks, documents and artifacts; museum exhibits, talks, a barn sale and town events.

Upton Chandler House Museum, 10 East Main St; office at 15 West Main St open Tue 1-4 pm.

Barrington

Barrington Historical Society

Volunteer residents dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Town of Barrington.

Second Saturday of each month, 10 am, Barrington Historical Society Building.

Brentwood

Brentwood Historical Society

Collects and shares Brentwood history through its museum, genealogy research, tours and talks.

Museum at 140 Crawley Falls Rd; programs are posted on the website.

Dover

Margery Sullivan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Dover chapter of the DAR, a lineage society for women descended from Revolutionary War patriots.

Contact the chapter through its website.

Dover

Woodman Museum

Dover museum founded in 1916 combining local history, natural science and art, with lectures and family events.

Open April-November, Wed-Sun 10 am-5 pm; docent-led tours daily.

Durham

Durham Historic Association

Honors Durham's history, active since 1851, with a public museum, archives, publications and open meetings.

Museum upstairs in the old Town Hall, by appointment; meetings are open to the public.

Exeter

American Independence Center

Exeter museum and education center on the nation's founding era, with learning programs, tours and community events.

1 Governors Lane; open Thu-Sat 10 am-4 pm, May through October.

Exeter

Exeter Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Exeter chapter of the DAR, a lineage society for women with an ancestor who aided the American Revolution.

Meets monthly in Exeter; contact the chapter regent for details.

Exeter

Exeter Historical Society

Collecting and preserving Exeter's history since 1928, with research help, programs and an annual calendar.

47 Front St; open Tue and Thu 2-4:30 pm and Sat 9:30 am-noon.

Greenland

Leonard Weeks & Descendants in America

All-volunteer nonprofit that cares for the 1710 Weeks Brick House, its colonial garden and 33 acres of trails in Greenland.

Grounds and trails open to the public; join or donate through the website.

Hampton

Friends of the Lane Memorial Library

Nonprofit supporting Hampton's library with twice-yearly used book sales, fundraisers, speakers and concerts.

Annual meeting each September at the library, 2 Academy Ave; join via the website.

Hampton

Hampton Historical Society

Runs the Tuck Museum complex with archives, genealogy resources, tours and community events for Hampton.

Tuck Museum open Sun, Wed and Fri; annual meeting each October; confirm hours first.

Hampton Falls

Hampton Falls Historical Society

Nonprofit preserving Hampton Falls history through two small museums, exhibits and research services.

Museum at 45 Exeter Rd open Saturdays from late June through October.

Lee

Lee Historical Society

Runs the Lee Historical Society Museum and keeps the town's local history collection for residents and visitors.

Museum at 11 Mast Road open Saturdays 10 am to noon, April through November.

New Castle

New Castle Historical Society

Preserves New Castle's history with a museum, exhibits, monthly talks and research resources.

Museum at 120 Main St open Wed 1-3 pm (also Sat in summer); talks at the Parish Hall.

Newmarket

New Market Historical Society

Documents Newmarket's history, preserves artifacts and hosts free public talks; runs the Stone School Museum.

Stone School Museum, 3 Granite St, open Sundays 11-3 from mid-June to late September.

North Hampton

North Hampton Historical Society

Collects and preserves materials on North Hampton's past; exhibits, presentations and local history events.

Exhibits are held at the North Hampton Library; see the website for programs.

Portsmouth

Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire

Promotes awareness of African American history in NH through guided tours, talks, Juneteenth and a yearly conference.

Office at 222 Court St; tours and programs year-round; volunteer sign-up on the website.

Portsmouth

Japan-America Society of New Hampshire

Membership group, founded 1988, running cultural and educational programs linking New Hampshire and Japan.

Based at 82 Court St; hosts the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day bell-ringing each September.

Portsmouth

Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden Museum

Historic house museum run by the Colonial Dames of America in New Hampshire, telling Portsmouth's story from colonial times.

Open daily except Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in season.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth Athenaeum

Membership library and museum, incorporated 1817, with a local-history archive, exhibits and cultural programs.

See the website for public hours, exhibits and membership.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth Historical Society

Runs museum exhibitions, the John Paul Jones House and historic walking and cemetery tours in downtown Portsmouth.

10 Middle St; exhibitions and tours run spring through fall, schedule on the website.

Portsmouth

Ranger Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

DAR lineage society chapter serving Portsmouth, New Castle, Rye, Hampton and Greenland.

Second Monday of the month, except Jan, Feb, Jul and Aug; contact the chapter to attend.

Portsmouth

Strawbery Banke Museum

Ten-acre living history museum with costumed roleplayers, historic houses and craft demonstrations; volunteers and members welcome.

14 Hancock Street; open Wed-Mon 10 AM-4 PM, guided tours Tuesdays.

Rye

Rye Historical Society

Preserves and shares Rye's history through the Town Museum, archives, lectures, trolley tours and community events.

Programs at Rye Public Library and around town; calendar on the website.

Rye

Rye Roots

Genealogy group of the Rye Historical Society, open to anyone tracing their family history.

Third Tuesday of each month, 7 pm, online via Zoom.

Seabrook

Historical Society of Seabrook

Offers genealogy research help and information on Seabrook's history from its rooms at the Brown Library.

Open Thursdays 10 am-2 pm and by appointment at the Brown Library.

Somersworth

Indonesian Community Connect

Shares Indonesian cultural heritage through festive and educational events and leads Somersworth's Little Indonesia project.

Somersworth

Summersworth Historical Society

Keeps Somersworth's history and museum collection and hosts a public lecture series on local topics.

Stratham

Stratham Historical Society

Local history group with public programs, an open house and a collection of Stratham artifacts and records.

Programs in the Morgera Room at the Stratham Firehouse; schedule on the town website.

Antrim

Antrim Historical Society

Preserves Antrim's history through education, exhibits and community programs; invites residents to get involved.

Fall programs are announced on the website.

Dublin

Dublin Historical Society

Collects and preserves records and relics of Dublin's past and runs a one-room schoolhouse museum and the town archives.

Museum Sat 9-noon in summer; archives at 8 Church St Mon, Tue, Thu 9 am-1 pm.

Francestown

Francestown Improvement & Historical Society

Preserves Francestown history and its artifact collection and funds town improvements such as recreation and beautification.

Semi-annual membership meetings; join through the website.

Greenfield

Greenfield Historical Society

Runs the Greenfield Historical Society Museum, sharing the town's past with residents and visitors.

Museum at 828 Forest Rd open the last Saturday of each month (not Dec), 10 am-noon.

Hancock

Hancock Historical Society

Formed by 1903 to preserve Hancock's story, papers and artifacts; its building in the village can be toured by visitors.

Harrisville

Historic Harrisville, Inc.

Nonprofit preserving Harrisville's historic mill village and supporting its housing, businesses, trails and general store.

Office at Granite Mill, 69 Main St; holds an annual meeting.

Hillsborough

Hillsborough Historical Society

Preserves Hillsborough history, runs the Heritage Museum and a vast photo archive, and hosts tours and a living history event.

Heritage Museum, 5 Central Street (the old Fire House); call ahead for hours.

Hillsborough

Pine Tree Riot Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Hillsborough chapter of the DAR, a lineage society for women descended from Revolutionary War patriots.

Contact the chapter through the state DAR chapter list.

Jaffrey

Jaffrey Historical Society

Keeps Jaffrey's archives, maps and publications, runs a display room and hosts programs and outings.

Display room at 40 Main St open Wed-Fri noon-5 pm and Sat 10 am-2 pm.

Keene

Ashuelot Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Keene chapter of the DAR, founded 1896, a lineage society for women descended from Revolutionary War patriots.

Email the chapter through its website to attend a meeting.

Keene

Friends of Keene Public Library

Volunteer group supporting Keene Public Library, known for its spring book sale.

Keene

Historical Society of Cheshire County

County history center with exhibits, archives, tours, school programs and public events for the Monadnock region.

246 Main St; open Tue-Fri 10-4 (Wed until 6) and 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings.

Keene

Keene Heritage Commission

City commission concerned with Keene's historic and cultural resources; its meetings are public.

Meeting dates and agendas are posted on the city website.

New Ipswich

New Ipswich Historical Society

Preserves and presents the history of New Ipswich through public programs, talks and an annual meeting.

Programs are listed on the website as scheduled; annual meeting in September.

Peterborough

Mariposa Museum

World culture museum using exhibits, school programs and public talks to build understanding across cultural differences.

26 Main Street, open year-round; memberships available through the website.

Peterborough

Monadnock Center for History and Culture

Nonprofit history and culture center with exhibitions, a research library and archives, and membership programs.

19 Grove St; open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm.

Rindge

Mary Varnum Platts-Peterborough Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

Rindge-area chapter of the DAR, a lineage society for women descended from Revolutionary War patriots.

Contact the chapter through its website.

Rindge

Rindge Historical Society

Nonprofit that catalogs and displays Rindge's records and artifacts at its museum in the Freeborn Stearns House.

Museum at 24 School St; see the website for visiting details.

Swanzey

Swanzey Historical Museum

Volunteer-run museum, founded 1987, collecting and preserving Swanzey's cultural and natural artifacts.

720 West Swanzey Rd; open Mon, Thu, Fri 1-4 pm and weekends 10-4 in season.

Temple

Historical Society of Temple

Founded 1941 to preserve Temple's records and objects; owns School House No. 6 and the Temple Glassworks site.

Rotating display in the Town Hall Annex; membership from $15 a year.

Walpole

Walpole Historical Society

Long-running local society with a museum, presentations and events, plus weekly local-history emails; volunteers welcome.

Museum off Academy Lane open Saturdays noon-3 pm, late July to mid-October.